LEMOYNE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations, an organization representing farming and agricultural commodity groups, is making universal access to broadband (internet and cell phone services) a major priority in 2019.
Per a board of directors decision at its annual meeting held Feb. 5 in Harrisburg, PSCFO will focus on broadband access because it affects all of rural Pennsylvania.
According to President Gregg Robertson, insufficient or non-existent access means that rural Pennsylvania is at a social and economic disadvantage.
“These tools of technology are basic needs in today’s society. Students without Internet at home face learning obstacles. Elderly and physically impaired people cannot use telemedicine. Agriculture producers farm less efficiently because they cannot use GPS. Rural businesses cannot compete regionally or internationally if they do not have these basic business resources,” Robertson said. “This is a core infrastructure issue facing rural Pennsylvania.”
Towards that end, PSCFO will inform the Agricultural Community on legislative activity and help facilitate Council members’ activities in reaching this goal.
— Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations